Atypical Type of Descending Necrotizing Fasciitis Spreading into the Lateral Chest Wall: Case Report

흉벽 외측을 타고 내려온 비전형성 하행 경부 괴사성 근막염 1예

  • Lee, Yong Jik (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Jong Cheol (Department of T Otorhinolaryngology, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Ho Min (Department of T Otorhinolaryngology, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Jung Won (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Jung, Jong Phil (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Chang Ryul (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine)
  • 이용직 (울산대학교 의과대학 울산대학교병원 흉부외과학교실) ;
  • 이종철 (울산대학교 의과대학 울산대학교병원 이비인후과학교실) ;
  • 이호민 (울산대학교 의과대학 울산대학교병원 이비인후과학교실) ;
  • 김정원 (울산대학교 의과대학 울산대학교병원 흉부외과학교실) ;
  • 정종필 (울산대학교 의과대학 울산대학교병원 흉부외과학교실) ;
  • 박창률 (울산대학교 의과대학 울산대학교병원 흉부외과학교실)
  • Received : 2011.05.23
  • Accepted : 2011.06.09
  • Published : 2011.06.30

Abstract

Cervical necrotizing fasciitis is a rare but well known life-threatening soft tissue infection primarily affecting the superficial and deep cervial fascial planes. It may rapidly spread into the mediastinum along fascial planes. So, if proper diagnosis and prompt surgical debridement is delayed, the infection may cause descending necrotizing mediastinitis with extensive necrosis of overlying skin, destroying fascia and muscle. Therefore, the key to the successful outcome is early recognition and rapid initiation of definitive radical debridement. The authors report, along with a literature review, a case of cervical necrotizing fasciitis with atypical spreading into the lateral chest wall.

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